Circus Amersfoort – Netherlands

Circus Amersfoort is an amateur circus school located in Amersfoort, in the province of Utrecht, the Netherlands. Founded in 2004 by a group of passionate acrobats, it offers regular circus arts instruction for children, teenagers and adults.

Since its creation, the association has gradually developed into a true place for learning, training and circus creation.

Circus Amersfoort's project is based on the desire to make circus arts accessible to diverse audiences, regardless of their starting level. The school welcomes both beginners wishing to discover the circus and experienced practitioners eager to further develop their skills.

Children can begin their learning from the age of 6. Classes are organized into several groups, allowing participants to progress in an environment adapted to their age and experience.

A multidisciplinary teaching

The teaching is intentionally multidisciplinary. Students discover more than ten circus techniques during the year, allowing them to experiment with different activities before developing their preferences.

The main subjects taught

• Juggling : participants gradually learn to manipulate different objects, coordinate their movements and develop their concentration.
• Acrobatics : students discover different body techniques to develop their strength, flexibility, balance and coordination.
• The trapeze : young people discover the possibilities offered by this aerial apparatus and gradually learn to master different movements.
• Balance disciplines : these allow students to work on their stability, posture and concentration while discovering new sensations.

Teamwork is an important aspect of this discipline. Participants learn to cooperate, communicate, and develop the confidence necessary to perform figures with other students.

Two complementary approaches

The courses are organized around two complementary approaches.

The first part allows participants to discover different disciplines through workshops led by teachers. This structure ensures varied practice and allows students to develop several skills throughout the year.

After a break, participants can choose a discipline they wish to explore in depth over several weeks. This second part, dedicated to specializations , allows students to progress further in the techniques that particularly interest them.

The association thus seeks to maintain a balance between the general discovery of circus arts and individual development. Children gradually learn to identify their strengths and choose the disciplines in which they wish to invest more time.

The weekly groups

Circus Amersfoort offers several weekly groups for children.

• Club 6 Plus : for younger children, aged 6 to 8, which provides a first introduction to circus arts.
• Groups are available for children aged 8 to 10 , 9 to 11 , and 10 to 12 .
• Tienerclub : for young people aged 13 to 15.
• Jongerenclub : allows teenagers from the age of 15 to continue their learning.

This structure allows participants to be grouped according to their age and offered tailored exercises. Students can thus practice circus arts for several years and gradually develop more advanced skills.

Artistic creation and performances

Circus Amersfoort also places great importance on artistic creation . The school believes that learning circus techniques can lead to the creation of original acts intended for performance before an audience.

Throughout the year, participants take part in interim performances organized for families. These initial performances allow students to gradually discover the stage in a familiar environment. They also provide an opportunity to showcase the progress made during rehearsals.

At the end of the season, Circus Amersfoort organizes a weekend entirely dedicated to performances . The various groups present their creations in shows open to the public. These shows are prepared by the students with the guidance of their teachers.

They allow young people to discover the different stages of creating an act: technical learning, rehearsals, coordination with other participants and presentation in front of spectators.

The collective dimension plays a vital role in this approach. Children learn to work together and participate in a shared project where each can contribute their skills. Performances also contribute to the development of self-confidence . Students discover the joy of sharing their achievements and presenting their work to family, friends, and a wider audience.

An activity for adults: Jongleren-V

Circus Amersfoort also offers regular activities for adults. Since 2014 , the school has had a group specifically dedicated to juggling for people aged 18 and over.

This group, called Jongleren-V , welcomes participants of different ages and skill levels. No prior circus or juggling experience is necessary to begin.

The sessions offer the opportunity to discover and practice different forms of juggling, individually, in pairs, or in groups. The emphasis is on the enjoyment of the activity , a friendly atmosphere , and personal progress . Adults can thus discover an activity combining coordination, concentration, and creativity in a group setting.

Discovery projects and workshops

In addition to its weekly classes, Circus Amersfoort organizes various projects to discover circus arts.

The association offers workshops specifically designed for schools, groups, and organizations . These activities allow participants to explore different disciplines under the supervision of experienced teachers. Projects can be tailored to the needs of the participants and the available time.

Circus Amersfoort also organizes circus-themed birthday parties for children. Participants can discover different props and techniques before preparing a short group performance. These activities provide a fun introduction to circus arts and allow children to discover the joy of performing together.

The school also offers special projects involving parents and children . These sessions allow families to discover different techniques together, including juggling, acrobatics, trapeze, balancing acts, and clowning. Participants gradually learn several disciplines before presenting their work in an end-of-cycle performance. This approach promotes the sharing of artistic and physical activity between generations.

A significant associative dimension

Circus Amersfoort also has a significant community dimension. The school was founded by acrobats who wanted to pass on their skills and develop circus arts in their city. Its operation has historically relied on the commitment of volunteer teachers , some of whom themselves began their journey as students of the association. This intergenerational transmission helps maintain a strong collective identity.

Over the years, Circus Amersfoort has developed its own internal training program to support teachers. This approach allows for the transmission of the skills necessary to lead the various disciplines and to maintain educational continuity.

A dedicated training area

The association now has its own training space, set up in a former railway building located in the Wagenwerkplaats district.

The development of this space was a significant step in the school's growth. Work began in 2010 and required several years of community involvement.

This building now accommodates the classes, workshops, and various activities of Circus Amersfoort. It also serves as a meeting place for students, teachers, and families.

Values and pedagogy

The association also pays particular attention to the physical safety and well-being of participants. Teachers support students in their progress and ensure a respectful environment.

Circus activities thus allow for the simultaneous development of physical abilities, concentration, confidence and social skills.

The diversity of disciplines is one of the great strengths of the program. Each participant can explore several techniques before choosing those they wish to develop further. Some students develop a preference for juggling, while others are more interested in acrobatics, balancing, or aerial disciplines. This structure allows for the gradual development of a personal path while maintaining a group practice.

In summary

With over twenty years of existence , several weekly groups and a specially designed training space, Circus Amersfoort is a well-established structure in amateur circus arts education in the Netherlands.

The school allows children to start from the age of 6 , teenagers to continue their progress and adults to discover, in particular, juggling.

Their project combines technical training, specialization, show creation, and community involvement. Circus Amersfoort thus offers an environment in which participants can discover the richness of circus arts, develop their skills, and share the joy of creating and practicing together.